Members of Providence United Methodist Church in Fayetteville welcomed the Rev. Herb Flanders as their new senior pastor on June 16.
Flanders lived his entire childhood and youth on the same farm in Fayette County.
“A lot has sure changed in Fayette County since I married and moved away in 1986,” Flanders said. “Soybean fields now sprout homes and streets cut through what was either farm or forest. My boyhood home off Lees Lake Road has been leveled and the beginning of a neighborhood entrance now winds just past where our barn sat.”
Flanders graduated from Fayette County High School in 1981 and from the University of Georgia in 1985 with a degree in psychology. He earned his master of divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1989, and was ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church in 1991.
Flanders started at Lanier Church, in Forsyth County, where he served for 10 years. After leading Jasper UMC in Pickens County for six years, Flanders served two churches in Griffin while he earned a master of science in Christian psychological studies, followed by four years of leading Thomaston First UMC in Upson County.
Flanders and wife, Regina, have two sons, Miles and Cole, who are University of Georgia graduates like their parents. Miles is a third year student at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Cole lives in Athens with his wife and fellow UGA grad, Alecia, where he supervises the Harrison Poultry hatchery and Alecia is the marketing director for a Chick-fil-A.
In his spare time Flanders enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with his family. Writing has been a primary focus of his ministry; in 2015 he and Regina self-published a collection of Christmas thoughts entitled The Perfect Gift.
Flanders said, “We are excited about coming home, and have been bowled over by the warmth of the reception from Providence UMC and everyone we’ve met in the process of moving here.”
On Sunday, July 3, Providence will have one worship service at 10:30 a.m. Providence is at 592 Bernhard Rd. in southern Fayette County between Redwine Road and Ga. Highway 85. Go to provumc.com or call 770-719-8800 for more information.
